Grindley Brook is based on a fictional station set on the ex-LNWR line between Whitchurch and Chester in Cheshire in the 1950-60 period. Although there was never such a large station with a yard at Grindley Brook, the location was chosen as the point at which the railway crossed the Llangollen Canal. Only later did we discover that the LMS had indeed opened a halt at this location in 1937!
The whole of the scenic area is scratch built using photos of actual LNWR buildings, signals, and infrastructure, brought together to create a typical LNWR station from the early 1870s, updated by the LMS and, ultimately, passed into the ownership of BR. Being on the boundaries of the London Midland and Western Regions, the trains are predominantly LM but with a sprinkling of WR workings. The track is handbuilt from C&L components to the finer standards of 31.5mm gauge (0-MF). Control is exercised by the signalman, using a miniature lever frame with full mechanical interlocking, leaving the drivers to follow the signals as in real life.
We hire a Transit van, with a tail-lift, and use usually 2-3 cars when exhibiting at shows. Up to 8 operators are needed for a weekend show.
Unfortunately we can only accept invitations from shows of two or three days because the time required to travel, set-up and breakdown the large layout makes showing on a single day impractical.
Contact Hillingdon Railway Modellers Chairman, Peter Storey for bookings at p.storey@virgin.net
